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Cisco's next boss won't reign on high like it's current chief executive John Chambers if John Chambers has anything to say about it.

The CEO hinted a managerial Magna Carta will be quilled for the networking giant's executive team just before he bails from the chieftain's throne in less than five years. He gave his candid comments on his succession in a Reuters interview yesterday.

"It's very likely to be different five years from now than it was five years ago," Chambers told the news service.

"There will probably be a title of CEO, but the next CEO will probably be more a leader of a council than a 'command and control," he said.

His comments stopped short of naming a candidate for the top spot — an ongoing decision that has garnered much speculation by analysts. The process, however, apparently involves several "layers" of executive hopefuls.

"The top layer is those who are ready today and there are five of them," he said.

Chambers also extended his gloomy forecast for the technology sector. He expects no relief from the slowdown of customer spending until early next year - though he had previously predicted an upturn in fortunes late this year.

Oh fine, just enough to ruin the holidays. We await for Chambers to be visited by three ghosts in the night to change this unfortunate outlook. ®